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How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

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Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#31

Post by resu_nimda »

drivingmenuts wrote: post #10

This is an example of one of the major problems of crowd-sourcing: trust. There is no way to verify that the integrity of the submitter, who could be giving wrong information due to malice, incompetence, or as a prank. There's entirely too much trust in crowdsourcing.

I don't think it's a major problem. This is one old guy who didn't even understand that his restaurant was listed on Google. As soon as a tech-savvy person stepped in it was cleared up in a few minutes. The damage may have already been done, but that's another story (some are saying the restaurant was already in decline).

Sure, it's unfortunate, and these kind of "crowd-sourcing casualties" are going to happen here and there, but is it really that big of a problem, relative to the value that is gained?

Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#32

Post by raverbashing »

Semaphor wrote: post #28

The yelp review paint a picture of 2010: Great food, great service 2011: Good to great food, horrible service 2012: Horrible food, horrible service I usually don't trust yelp, but the decline is way too visible here.

People love to bash yelp, but it's merely a reflection of the fact that People Are Dicks

Check the reviews, there's also how many reviews and friends the person has. The lower these two numbers are, the most likely the review is fake (either pro or against)

Also check how balanced the review is. Most legitimate ones are fair, and won't go over the top either way

And of course, there's always someone that's going to complain about a sushi restaurant serving raw fish.

Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#33

Post by will_brown »

It would seem to me these types of hacks are very risky in light of the recent lawsuits involving bogus Yelp reviews.

Specifically, Yelp was forced by the courts to reveal the real identities behind bogus reviews, and further individuals have been held personally liable for defamation.

Though the Google Map hacks may not fall under a cause of action for defamation (thought it may), certainly I could see rather large judgments under a theory of tortious interference with business contracts/business relationships. These suits permit not just damages for economic loss, but also punitive damages.

Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#36

Post by [deleted] »

will_brown wrote: post #33

It would seem to me these types of hacks are very risky in light of the recent lawsuits involving bogus Yelp reviews. Specifically, Yelp was forced by the courts to reveal the real identities behind bogus reviews, and further individuals have been held personally liable for defamation. Though the Google Map hacks may not fall under a cause of action for defamation (thought it may), certainly I could see rather large…

[deleted]

Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#37

Post by southflorida »

if google is going to take it upon themselves to list a business they should be held accountable and the information should be accurate. google listed the business without his consent and it was incorrect information. i hope he wins... google listing a business that is closed on weekends could have been detrimental in this case. the business owner doesnt need to change because technology has evolved beyond his understanding, google should have never listed the business to begin with. google = giant scraper site of misinformation.

Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#38

Post by pavel_lishin »

southflorida wrote: post #37

if google is going to take it upon themselves to list a business they should be held accountable and the information should be accurate. google listed the business without his consent and it was incorrect information. i hope he wins... google listing a business that is closed on weekends could have been detrimental in this case. the business owner doesnt need to change because technology has evolved beyond his unders…

> the business owner doesnt need to change because technology has evolved beyond his understanding

I agree with the general sentiment of your comment, but I disagree with that line in particular.

If you disagree, please sent your reply via the Pony Express to the Harlem Public House; I shall check with the barman therein to see if your letter arrives every other Sunday.

Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#39

Post by ceejayoz »

troymc wrote: post #30

Aren't there large-scale services to whom a small business owner can pay an annual subscription fee, where the service will monitor the accuracy of their Google, Yelp, Open Street Map, Wikipedia, Yellowpages, etc. information? The article mentions some person on a retainer who does this on a shop-by-shop basis, but it seems to me that this is something that can be automated and scaled.

I believe http://www.reputation.com/ does this.

Re: How Google Map Hackers Can Destroy a Business at Will

#40

Post by [deleted] »

troymc wrote: post #30

Aren't there large-scale services to whom a small business owner can pay an annual subscription fee, where the service will monitor the accuracy of their Google, Yelp, Open Street Map, Wikipedia, Yellowpages, etc. information? The article mentions some person on a retainer who does this on a shop-by-shop basis, but it seems to me that this is something that can be automated and scaled.

[deleted]
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